St. Paul Central Corridor LRT at halfway mark

Construction of the Central Corridor LRT Project is 50% complete, with a 75% mark anticipated by the end of the year, according to the Metropolitan Council, which among other duties oversees light rail construction in Minnesota's Twin Cities.

"The contractors really hit the ground running in March. We now have work occurring in all areas of the nearly 10-mile long project, employing more than 3,000 workers to date,'' Met Council Chair Sue Haigh said in a statement Monday.

The project is on schedule to substantially complete utility relocations, roadway removal and replacement, track installation and the structural elements of all 18 stations by the end of this year, said Mark Fuhrmann, program director for New Starts rail projects. "Overall, the project remains on schedule to open in 2014 and within budget," Fuhrmann said.

Installation of the electrical, signaling, and communications systems, as well as testing the operation of trains, will occur in 2013 and 2014 before revenue service begins in 2014.

The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project will link downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis along Washington and University avenues via the state Capitol and the University of Minnesota. \ The line will connect with the existing Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis, offering connections as well to Northstar commuter rail service at Target Field Station, also in Minneapolis.